Hedge planting & more!
Leader on the day Chris B reports from the depths of the Attingham Estate:
The first challenge of the day, after getting up, was to turn up at the right place! Whilst a map, aerial photo, postcode and my three words had been provided by NT there is always scope for a challenge. However all arrived on time – some even beat me to it!
The original plan was to plant a new hedge without the use of stakes and rabbit guards. The new hedge, probably a reinstatement of something previously ripped out, is to cordon off an area for a new orchard. The fruit trees for the orchard, some three foot tall, were already on site, but yet to be planted in their final position. These had already succumbed to the some rabbit chewing and hence the first job was to attach guards. In fact an inspection of a hedge planted some three weeks previously also revealed extensive chewing had taken place! So the plan was changed to including staking and guarding of all of the new hedge materials.
We had a fine selection of young plants but the planting was not the usual mixing things up; rather groups of the same plant in 2-3 metre lengths were required – NT’s Gareth ably explained and demonstrated what was required. Whilst the bulk were hawthorn there were others, including hazel, dogwood and holly (the latter in flower pots rather than bare root whips) as well as oak and crab apple, to be widely spaced and encouraged to grow to standards, that is proper trees. The usual slit method of planting was good enough for all but the holly. This required a trench to be dug and of course only one person can dig a trench whilst the others lean on the remaining spades……
Everyone got stuck in and the hedge planting, guarding and staking was complete by 1.00 pm. Whilst no one counted, we thought that c. 700-750 had been planted over 140 metres. This speedy rate of planting was helped by the fact that the ground had previously been harrowed and by the dry weather – this allowed those too old to bend down to be able to progress on their knees, without them getting wet!
After lunch, which included in my case being reunited with an unopened – still in date – packet of crisps from a previous lost picnic, it was on to the earlier (non-SSNTV) planted hedge mentioned earlier. On closer inspection, it was clear that the rabbits had been enjoying a nibble of most of the planting, although the rose seemed to have escaped entirely! In no time at all, everything was staked and guarded – this over a longer length than the morning’s hedge planting. By 2.30pm we were walking back to the cars across the field – which shows just how quickly we can do repetitive tasks, especially when there is good banter.
The exit from the field was done under direction, as the track was rather bumpy. This required manoeuvring, in reverse, to avoid the worst of the potholes, so as to keep sumps and bumpers attached.
Some volunteers, taking advantage of the early finish, adjourned to the Attingham café for more consumables – the general consensus being that you can never have too many consumables!
Many thanks to Gareth for putting us straight (we had a string line for the planting) and for setting out the planting requirements. Thank you also, to all those who attended (15 in total). I for one thoroughly enjoyed the day and the good-humoured banter.
See you next time!
Shropshire and Staffordshire National Trust Volunteers 